Electronic Device Cover

ABSTRACT

An electronic device cover provides a slot that allows a hand to orient the electronic device to a desired angle. The cover includes a housing for at least partially enclosing the electronic device. The housing includes an inner surface for engaging the electronic device. An outer surface provides protection to the electronic device. The outer surface joins with a slot from a rear end of the cover. The slot is configured to be operable to allow at least part of a hand to at least partially enter. The hand positions parallel between the slot and the outer surface. A snug fit allows for enhanced control and grip of the electronic device. The hand turns to orient the electronic device to a desired angle for operating and viewing. The hand turns to reorient the electronic device to a horizontal position for better viewing of videos.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 61/631,515 entitled “ELECTRONIC TABLET AND MOBILE PHONE COVER WITH HAND AND FINGER POCKETS”, filed on under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to covers. More particularly, one or more embodiments of the invention relate to electronic device covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that portable electronic devices refer to hand-held or wearable devices used for communication. For example, a walkie talkie is a device that is hand-held when in use, and wearable when not in use. Portable telephones are carried, or worn, on a belt, or in a pocket.

Typically, a portable electronic device is a personal, wireless electronic device with customizable communications, applications and entertainment capabilities.

Typically, electronic device covers include skins and design covers. The covers are made of hard plastic or adhesive-backed vinyl pieces. The vinyl skins are often pre-cut to fit a cell phone or portable electronic device.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective rear view of an exemplary electronic device cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective front view of an exemplary electronic device cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective rear view of an exemplary electronic device cover with a hand positioned inside an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective front view of an exemplary electronic device cover partially encapsulating an iPad with a hand positioned inside an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed perspective front view of an exemplary electronic device cover partially encapsulating an iPhone with at least part of a hand positioned inside an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed perspective rear view of an exemplary electronic device joined to an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of electronic device covers that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device cover may provide a cover for a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, the cover may include a housing for at least partially enclosing the electronic device. The housing may include an inner surface for engaging the electronic device. The housing may further include an outer surface for providing protection to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the outer surface may join with at least one slot from a rear end of the cover. The at least one slot may be configured to be operable to allow at least part of a hand to at least partially enter. In some embodiments, the hand may position parallel between the slot and the outer surface. In this manner, a snug fit may allow for enhanced control and grip of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the hand may turn to orient the electronic device to a desired angle for operating and viewing. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that a display portion of the electronic device may be viewed in a horizontal position or a vertical position from a front end of the cover. The horizontal position may be more efficacious for viewing video content. The hand may turn to reorient the electronic device to the horizontal position for better viewing of videos on the display portion, including, without limitation, widescreen high definition video.

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective rear view of an exemplary electronic device cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an electronic device cover 100 may provide a cover for a portable electronic device. The electronic device may include, without limitation, an iPad, an iPhone, a smartphone, and a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, the cover may include a housing 102 for at least partially enclosing the electronic device. The housing may include an inner surface for engaging the electronic device. The inner surface may be fabricated from rubber to help grip the electronic device. The housing may further include an outer surface 104 for providing protection to the electronic device. The housing may be operable to provide shock resistance, whereby if dropped, the electronic device may be protected from damage. In some embodiments, the outer surface may join with a slot 108 from a rear end 106 of the cover. The slot may be configured to be operable to allow at least part of a hand to at least partially enter. In this manner, the hand may turn to orient the electronic device to a desired angle for operation and viewing. In some embodiments, the slot may extend from a rear end of the cover. The slot may be configured to provide a snug fit for the hand. In one alternative embodiment, the slot may be adjustable to provide a snug fit to the hand. In yet another alternative embodiment, the slot may include an apertures for keeping the hand cool. The cover may be sized and dimensioned to at least partially cover the electronic device, including, without limitation, 115 mm×59 mm×9 mm. However, in other embodiments, the cover may include larger or smaller sizes. Suitable materials for fabricating the cover may include, without limitation, plastic, rubber, neophrane, high density polyurethane, metal, wood, and fiberglass.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective front view of an exemplary electronic device cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the housing may include a plurality of apertures that align with a jack, a port, a camera lens, and a display screen. In some embodiments, the display screen may secure within an inner surface 202 of the cover. The display screen may be viewable from a front end 204 of the housing through an aperture. In some embodiments, the aperture for the display screen may include a size and dimension configured to confirm to a specific electronic device. For example, without limitation, a cover configured for an iPhone may have smaller apertures than a cover configured for an iPad. In one alternative embodiment, the cover may encapsulate cameras, laptops, and any device that requires orientation in a variety of angles for operation or viewing.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective rear view of an exemplary electronic device cover with a hand positioned inside an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, at least part of a hand 302 may position parallel between the slot and the outer surface. In this manner, a stable fit may allow for enhanced control and grip of the electronic device. In some embodiments, a user may utilize a desired amount of fingers to position inside the slot. Other suitable alternatives to a slot or pocket which may be used include, without limitation, an open-ended pocket that resembles a bracket. Some alternative embodiments may employ ring type cylinders for the individual insertion of the user's fingers through such cylinders. The hand may form a snug fit with the slot for orienting the cover to a desired angle. The desired angle may include, without limitation, a horizontal view, a vertical view, a front view, and a rear view.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective front view of an exemplary electronic device cover partially encapsulating an iPad with a hand positioned inside an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an electronic device 402 may position inside the cover. The electronic device may include a display portion. In some embodiments, the display portion may provide viewing through an aperture 404. The display portion may be viewed in a horizontal position or a vertical position from the front end of the cover. The horizontal position may be more efficacious for viewing video content. The hand may turn to reorient the electronic device to the horizontal position for better viewing of videos on the display portion, including, without limitation, widescreen high definition video.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed perspective front view of an exemplary electronic device cover partially encapsulating an iPhone with at least part of a hand positioned inside an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the slot may receive part of a hand, or a complete hand, depending on the type and weight of the electronic device. For example, without limitation, a larger iPad may require a complete hand to support a greater weight, while a smaller, lighter iPhone may only require a few fingers to support the lesser weight. In one alternative embodiment, a foot may position inside the slot for orienting the electronic device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed perspective rear view of an exemplary electronic device joined to an exemplary slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the slot may position directly on the electronic device. In this manner, the slot may be configured to be operable to allow at least part of a hand to at least partially enter from a rear end of the electronic device. In one alternative embodiment, the electronic device may include an integrated rubber surface for protection along with the slot, whereby the separate cover is not required.

All the features or embodiment components disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, unless expressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features or components serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known by those skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent, suitable, or similar results by such alternative feature(s) or component(s) providing a similar function by virtue of their having known suitable properties for the intended purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent, or suitable, or similar features known or knowable to those skilled in the art without requiring undue experimentation.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a slot on a rear end of an electronic device cover for facilitated orientation of the electronic device according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the slot on a rear end of an electronic device cover for facilitated orientation of the electronic device may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the slot on a rear end of an electronic device cover for facilitated orientation of the electronic device described in the foregoing were principally directed to a slot in an electronic device cover that enables at least part of a hand to enter for orienting an electronic device implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to orienting larger electronic devices such as laptops, computers, and robots, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims. 

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 19. A cover, comprising: means for at least partially enclosing an electronic device with said cover; means for enabling at least partial entry of a user's hand inside a slot, said slot includes a plurality of apertures to keep said user's hand cool; means for turning said user's hand; and means for orienting said electronic device to a desired angle.
 20. A cover, consisting of: a housing, said housing is made of plastic, said housing comprising a plurality of apertures, said plurality of apertures being configured to align with a jack, a port, a camera lens, and a display screen, said display screen being disposed to position on a front side of said cover, said housing being configured to at least partially cover an electronic device, said electronic device comprising a programmable cell phone with an operating system and a processor, or a programmable tablet computer with an operating system and a processor, said housing comprising an inner surface, said inner surface being configured to engage said electronic device, said inner surface is made of rubber, said inner surface being configured to grip said electronic device, said housing further comprising an outer surface, said outer surface being configured to protect said electronic device, said outer surface comprising a slot, said slot being configured to be operable to enable at least partial entry of at least a part of a hand, said slot being disposed to extend outwardly from said outer surface, said slot being configured to fit snugly on said hand, said slot being disposed to position on a rear side of said cover, said slot being disposed to position in proximity to a bottom area of said rear side, wherein said slot includes a plurality of apertures to keep a user's hand cool. 